Maternity leave at 35 weeks too early?

[OnMyJourney]

Hey, so I'm only 17 weeks at the moment but I have a meeting with my work to discuss when I will be planning on going on Maternity Leave, they like to preplan well ahead as I'm senior management so they need to find maternity cover and also they like to take precaution because I do a lot of hands on, walking around work. After speaking to my DH we decided on 20th of October which would make me 34+6, is that too early? Realistically this is good for me because the following week after that is half term, i work in hospitality and it gets busy and stressful but i also want as much time as possible with my baby, if baby comes 2 weeks late it'll be 7 weeks I've wasted, has anyone got any advice with this? I don't know if I should just take it and go at 35 weeks or go part time like 2/3 days a week until like 37/38 weeks? Any advice is super appreciated

I think do what is right for you and don't worry what other people think. Obviously, you have to weigh things up financially etc.

I went off very early by most people's standards and have zero regrets. Some people said I'd be so bored, while others have applauded me and said that they wish they had done the same as they went off late and had an early baby or were too exhausted to get things done. I have been able to enjoy the end of my pregnancy and get things done without feeling stressed. Some days I need a relaxed day with naps because I've had three hours sleep, others I have loads of energy and motivation to get things done. I think I would be really stressed and exhausted if I was still working.

As above, whatevers right for you.

You can also use annual leave first and then trigger you mat leave a bit later.

You also accrue annual leave whilst on mat leave so you can tack that on at the end to have more time 'off' (but be getting paid again!)

I work in hospitality too and am leaving at 32 weeks (end of this week!). I had originally planned to leave at 36 weeks but as I've gotten closer to the end of the pregnancy I've realised I needed to be off sooner! I have a big bump already and am getting quite sore and tired and the last few weeks at work have been really tough! I can't wait to be done.

Depends on if you're more office-based or on the floor, but only you will know what's best for you. Hospitality is hard work even when you're not pregnant. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

I had a trip booked at 35 weeks. Quick check up at the hospital first. Luggage in the car...
Had an emcs 4 hours later.
No trip for me!
Ime don't bother planning too far ahead op!

Do NOT take your maternity leave to suit work. Take it to suit yourself. You're about to find out that no matter how senior you are at work, you need to make sure you put yourself and your pregnancy and your baby first, because your employer will never.

I'm going at 35 weeks, my last day is this Friday and I cannot wait. I feel huge and tired, I know I will be grateful for these last few weeks to get organised at a slower pace and just have some time before this baby comes along.

Do what's best for you, but sounds like it would be a good time.xx

I wouldn't say it's too early, although I would rather use annual leave first. I stop working at 34 weeks but using annual leave until due date. It's my third pregnancy and at 30 weeks I honestly feel like my bump is going to explode. Even though my job is 8 h sitting, actually sitting too long gets uncomfortable and occasional walks are not much of help. I already brought all sorts of cushions to help, at home even on sofa I sit in pile of cushions lol just can't find any comfortable position for too long. Besides, staying at home earlier will let me to use all energy I have to catch up with housework etc in my own time, as everything takes longer and need to spread jobs out.

I went off way this time but that’s cos I had a lot of annual leave I had to use prior to starting Mat leave. Went off at 36 weeks (Mat leave started at 38 weeks) with no 2. Both were planned c sections.

With my first I went off on hols at 37 + 5 weeks and had her over the weekend!

I started mine last Monday at 33+5. This is my second pregnancy and I am struggling massively. I was signed off for 4 weeks before official maternity leave start date too.

I started both of mine at 32 weeks.

Ds1 I was just so tired and sick again and worn out, and it was August and hot, and I was fed up.
So I finished early than I'd planned to.
He was born at 37 weeks.

Ds2 I was admitted to hospital at 32 weeks for steroids in case he came early, as I was having contractions.
(I'd actually been having them for about 10 weeks but I had a UTI and they sent me to maternity and put me on a monitor and then panicked at how many contractions I had in the hour, which was less than usual as I was sitting there with my feet up.)
That was a few days before Christmas, so I went into work for a couple of days, tied up all the loose ends and finished at Christmas.
He was also born at 37 weeks.

With my 1st, I left at 32 weeks but used A/L then maternity kicked in at 36 weeks. Absolutely no regrets, I was so ready to go!

I was travelling 6 hours a day round central London conducting interviews with people that had lost mental capacity and it was a very stressful job.

100% this

Are you planning on going back to work after?

If so, maybe think about maximising your mat leave financially...but ultimately of course it's up to you 🤷‍♀️

My daughter worked right up to 39 weeks, as she wanted to spend as long as possible at home with the baby before returning to work after. As it turned out, baby had other plans and was born the day after she finished work...but that was ok 🤣

Don't fit it around work. Do what you need to do for you. Can you finish at 35 weeks and take some holiday before Mat leave kicks in? I did this and DS was born day my Mat leave started luckily.

Completely agree with others @OnMyJourney - take your leave to suit yourself, not to suit work.

I have relatively long days on my feet (10 hour days with 45 min break) and the job also requires lots of bending, lifting and getting up and down onto/off of the floor. It was also during covid and we wanted to ensure we were covid free so DH could definitely be at the birth! I finished up at 35.5 weeks and used annual leave to take me up to the 37 week mark to start my mat leave. I also used annual leave at the other side.

I ended up bringing mine forward a week by using annual leave because I was just so tired and fed up. Going right to the end isn’t always the best. It’s not a waste to have time to yourself during that time, have a nap if you need it, get organised, catch up with some friends. I did go part time from 34 weeks using annual leave and felt like that worked.

You might also hate maternity leave and be ready to go back to work.

I started mine at 36 weeks. I just couldn't do that 2hr commute each way anyway. Everyone said it was too early but then DS came at 37 weeks

Try to use your holidays if you have them available. I wanted to leave as late as possible to have as much time with my baby but it wasn't possible as I didn't have the best pregnancy ended up going at 36 weeks and tbh it was the right amount of time to be able to get things prepared before baby came, have some me time and unwind before a big massive change

With my first I finished at 38 weeks (on annual leave) and regretted it because I didn't have baby until 42. Wish I'd used that two weeks on the other side and wouldn't have had to pay for childcare! I had an uncomplicated pregnancy and.had been moved to an easy office job.

This time I went off at 40 weeks (currently 40+2) and am happy. Had an even easier office roll, relatively easy pregnancy and my boss let me work reduced hours on full pay

Now enjoying a few days off before baby arrives